Council sides with RV park developers

After being turned away in their bid for a zoning change, a Greybull couple has cleared a major hurdle in their attempt to open an RV park in a residential neighborhood.
Cliff and Brooke Fink were granted a conditional use permit on Aug. 12 to develop the RV park on the .32-acre lot directly east of the Greybull Body Shop, which they also own.  The CUP was necessary because the adjacent lot presently carries a low-density residential zoning designation.
The Finks initially tried to get it rezoned for general business, but were denied by the council. Their CUP request cleared the council by the slimmest of margins, with Councilmen Jeremy Kottman and Blaine Jolley supporting it and Councilmen Chris Dooley and Gerald Crist opposing.  Mayor Myles Foley broke the tie, siding with Kottman and Jolley.
The Finks have maintained throughout that the RV park they envision would address the current shortfall of housing options for people who come here to work. They have also said that they would carefully screen potential renters, require 30-day minimum stays and have a zero-tolerance policy for disruptive behavior.
In their CUP request, they wrote that there is adequate space on the property for up to eight RVs.
Mike and Cheryl Howe, who reside across the street, have opposed the RV park proposal from the start.  So, too, has Diane Paul, another neighbor.  Paul works in the health care industry. A remote worker who deals with medical professionals, she fears that noise from an RV park could impact her ability to perform her job.
For their  part, the Howes have voiced concerns about the impact an RV park would have on their quiet neighborhood — specifically, traffic and noise — along with the wear and tear it would place on First Avenue South.
Brooke Fink said she and her husband didn’t buy the lot with the intent of putting a house on it.  For that reason, they have no interest in retaining the low-density residential zoning.  She said if they can’t proceed with an RV park, they’d consider expanding the body shop or some other business use.  She added that one of their children has expressed a desire to start a business on the lot that would tie in nicely with the existing body shop.
Much of the Aug. 12 discussion again focused on the proposed zoning change to general business.   The Finks and the council never did find common ground.   Crist said if the town changes the zoning of a low- or medium-density residential lot to general business, it could result in a RV parks popping up around town.
Dooley agreed, saying, “The issue I have is changing a residential lot to business.”
While they also opposed the rezoning, the other members of the council found the CUP more palatable.
Brooke Fink’s reference to her child’s business idea appeared to strike a chord with Kottman.  “They’re putting money into our town,” Kottman said. “I know they have four kids — and it doesn’t apply just to them — but if those four kids don’t have a job or a business to open, where are they going to go?  They’re going to leave.  And all of a sudden, this town dwindles and dwindles.”
Dooley offered a different perspective, saying  “Now there isn’t going to be a residential lot for them to build on.”
Charlie Thomas, who owns two rentals near the lot, voiced his support for the RV park proposal.
In the end, the council voted to retain the lot’s low-density zoning and to grant the CUP with the 3-2 vote.  The council will have some control over the situation, however, as the CUP will come up for renewal on an annual basis.  If it’s not working out, they can address it.
Other news
In other Aug. 12 news:
• In a letter, Midway Golf Course requested financial assistance from the town, citing the fact that it receives no county or municipal support (unlike some other area courses that do) and has only six months to generate sufficient revenue to pay the course’s year-round expenses.
None of the council members voiced support for it, though no official vote was taken.
• The council approved the terms of a 10-year franchise agreement with Rocky Mountain Power.  Under those terms, the franchise fee was set at 5%.
• Councilman Gerald Crist pushed back against some public criticism that has been directed at the public works crew in recent weeks, applauding Mason Irvine and his employees for fixing things the right way instead of simply applying BandAids. Some recent examples include fixing the sprinkler system at one of the ballfields, the planter display, replacement of street lights, the new restroom facility at the east bridge park and water and sewer certifications earned.
• Travis Davis attended his first meeting since his hiring as the town’s police chief.  He’s pushing for the establishment of a ride-along program for citizens.  They would have to sign a waiver and have the approval of the chief or sergeant.
• The council made more progress on the update of its agriculture zoning ordinance. In a slight tweak, pigs were added to the list of domestic livestock permitting in an ag zoning district.  Beef and dairy cattle, sheep, goats, horses, mules, assess, llamas and alpacas were already listed in the ordinance.
The other significant change was the inclusion of language that allows “the hunting, capture, killing or destruction of any predatory animal, rodent, pest or other wildlife ... if such an activity is conducted according to state law.”  The use of a firearm as a control measure would be permitted.
The ordinance passed on second reading.  
• The council approved its new capital improvement program.
• A building permit was issued to the Greybull Public Library, which would like to construct a 14 x 20 shed for the storage of museum items.  The library tweaked its proposal since last month, agreeing to put up a portable shed instead of a permanent one.
• The council approved a request for a variance from Magdalena Harlow, for the construction of a carport along her property line at 516 Seventh Ave. N.
• Chris Harwood’s request for a lot line adjustment at the Wheels Motel was approved by the council. In effect, the move combines two parcels into one for the construction of a house.
• The council briefly discussed a proposal to put an RV dump station in the parking lot across the street from Town Hall.  The town’s engineering firm estimated the cost at about $51,000.
• Council and staff had a lengthy discussion with Darren Berlinger regarding property he owns along U.S. Highway 20 South, his attempts to repair a water leak and a water bill from the town that’s grown to more than $1,000 despite his attempts to rectify the situation. The only thing Berlinger, staff and council members agreed on was the need to meet on site, which they did the following morning.
• The council approved a variance request from Doug and Sue Scott, who reside in the Heights.
• The council voted to purchase a street sweeper from Intermountain Sweeper of Utah, the lowest of two bidders.  With a trade-in from the town factored in, Intermountain’s bid came in around $334,000.